Where are you from?

There has been a lot of recollecting and writing inspired by a poem entitled Where I'm From by Ms. George Ella Lyons. Someone took the time to work the poem backwards into a template that creates a thought provoking exercise for anyone who wishes to pursue it. Normally I am not a person who embraces fill in the blank writing assignments, but as Lissa explains here, this one is rather unique.

You can even read where Lissa is from and then read her 11 year old's take. If you are interested in more, read here and several here . And here is one from 9 year old Mary Beth.

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Here is my attempt to capture the memories, both fleeting and vivid, and distill them into a semblance of who I am and

Where I'm From:

I am from hot homemade breakfasts,
Stretch-n-Sew pants and
my first opera.

I am from a small town in the heartland.
(Friendly, well-manicured,
but always with the odor of manure
wafting from the surrounding farms.)

I am from the squeaking, scampering,
attic mice and from five foot tall drifts of snow
along the fence.

I am from summer road trips and
civilized adventure,
from Grandpa, Aunt Millie and Aunt Nancy.
I am from pragmatism and perseverance.
From “Don’t do it if you aren’t going to do it right.”
and “Write it again.” From "hurry up,"
but still always late.

I am from Midnight Mass
and a May Crowning
atop a tall and rickety ladder,
from daily rosary and frequent novenas.
From the rose petals of St. Therese
and the patronage of St. Cecilia.

I am from Germans and Irish
(and Italians, I suspect),
from potica and Friday night fish fry.

From the selfless woman
who gave me life
and then gave me up
and the loving, grateful parents
who absorbed me as their own.

I am from the move into town
so I could have more friends.

I am from the shining smiles
of those sisters I know only
from treasured stories and photographs.
I am from all those moments
captured by the omnipresent photographer;
images suspended in snapshots and slides
and lovingly documented.

Images I shall share with my children
as they begin to wonder
from whence they came.

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We would love for you to share with us "where you are from." Post it in the comment box or email it.